The sudden exploration of Kounde comes as a direct response to the emergency defensive crisis at London Colney following William Saliba’s severe back injury. With Saliba sidelined for up to five months following surgery, Mikel Arteta is determined to secure a world-class, versatile defender who can instantly steady the backline. Kounde perfectly fits this elite profile, offering extensive top-level experience at both center-back and right-back, making him an incredibly attractive tactical asset for the Premier League champions' fluid system.

While the internal green light has been given to explore the financial parameters of a deal, pry open negotiations with the Catalan giants will be a complex task late in the window. Barcelona are notoriously tough negotiators, and despite their ongoing need to balance their own financial books, they view the French international as a vital component of their squad. However, the lack of formal club-to-club contact indicates that Arsenal are currently doing their due diligence, assessing whether a deal is economically viable before launching a concrete opening proposal.